Which Wandy will show up for the Astros tonight?

The Wandy who went 14-12 with a 3.02 ERA in 2009 en route to winning team pitcher of the year honors?

Or the Wandy who went 1-4 with a 12.10 ERA in 19 1/3 innings in spring training?

The Astros, who are coming off a 5-2 opening-day loss to the Giants, hope for the former against fellow lefty Barry Zito beginning at 7:05 p.m. at Minute Maid Park.

To that end, Wandy Rodriguez has been watching tape. He knows the problem is with his mechanics. But he feels it coming back. His breaking ball is getting there, he said.

For the record, manager Brad Mills says he’s not concerned with Rodriguez’s spring-training struggles. His arm is healthy and that’s what matters entering the season.

Except the Astros are playing real games now.

In case you hadn’t heard, Rodriguez became a father for a second time last week.

That’s why he pitched on short rest and returned to Houston on Wednesday instead of Thursday with the rest of the team.

He insisted the birth of his baby daughter Amanda didn’t factor in his spring-training struggles.

But you have to figure that it is only natural for his family to be in his mind in the days leading up to it. Becoming a father is, after all, one of the most exhilarating things that can happen to a man.

I want to hear from you dads out there on this one.

Pregame notes:

• As expected when facing a lefthanded pitchers through at least these first two series, rookie 3B Chris Johnson will start at third base, with Pedro Feliz shifting to first.

• With a day game Wednesday, Kaz Matsui and J.R. Towles are getting the day off, replaced in the lineup by Jeff Keppinger and Humberto Quintero.

YOUR TAKE: Which Wandy do you expect on the mound for the Astros today?